I know what you're thinking: "this kid just dissed the artist in the title, but gave his CD 5 stars?" Well, let me explain.

****THE ARTIST****

I would describe Young Buck as a very decent, above-average rapper, who given the chance, can explode.

His previous songs were inconsistant and just "blah". He was good as a guest on other artists tracks, but not really worth mention.

Ahh, but 50 Cent and G-Unit came along and gave Buck his chance to explode. First by giving him his own track, with no collabs, on G-Units "Beg For Mercy". On this song, (Footprints), he definitely impresses. He sure got my attention.

But personally, I still wasn't sure about him. I remembered him from Cash Money, and that he wasn't new to the game, but I wasn't convinced.. Well, not until I heard his song "Sleep With an AK" Off of DJ Whookid & Lloyd Banks "SWAT: Global Mixtape Strike Team" (http://sandbox.pair.com/abstract/djwhookidswat.html).

So I knew he had it in him. He does a good job riding beats, but every now and then he explodes. A friend of mine put it best when he said "wow.. this man can rap his a** off".

So is Young Buck a great rapper? No. But he can sure sound like one. Lloyd banks is, all in all, a much better rapper than Young Buck. I would, however, reccommend Young Bucks "Straight Outta Ca$hville" over Banks' recently released "The Hunger For more".

****THE CD****

Yes, buy it, get it, it's great. It's definitely one of the more "gangster" CD's out there, but I'd say most people into any form of rap would love it.

The beats are nothing short of amazing. Track 2 "Do It Like Me" Is incredible. The beat is genius, and Buck really goes nuts on it. Other stand out tracks are "Shorty Wanna Ride", "Stomp" ft Ludacris and T.I., and "Welcome to the South" ft Lil Flip and David Banner.

****COLLECTORS EDITION?****

The collectors edition just comes with an extra song and some DVD you probably won't even end up watching. The song is good, but not worth the extra $5 or whatever it is. It's a song by "DPG Unit" (DPG being Dogg Pound Gangstas; Snoop, Kurupt, Nate, and Daz Dillenger). Just do like me and download it.

****RECOMMENDATIONS****

Since we're talking about DPG, let me prescribe to you a favorite cd of mine: "Kurupt - Space Boogie, Smoke Oddyssey". With tracks produced by Daz Dillenger, the man who made most of Tupac's beats (including the brilliant "Ambitionz Az a Ridah"), the CD is sure to please. Sht, it's so good that even Fred Durst impresses.

This is one of the all time greatest rap cd's to ever be recorded. It's an instant classic. I love every lyric.

Young Buck's solo debut is much better than Lloyd Banks. The beats are better the flow is better and Buck's style is better. He holds it down for the DIRTY SOUTH, best tracks are Shorty Wanna Ride, Let Me In, Stomp, Do It Like Me, and Bonafide Hustler. The other tracks are good too but these stand out. Best solo album to come out of G-Unit so far since 50 came out.

Holla At Ya Boy!!

Great album, i like all tracks on it. Definately the best album of any G-unit member i came across.

I listened to this early, and didn't pay any attention to people's reviews, as I never looked at 'em. But lately, I've been looking at 'em, and there's so many people hatin' on Buck. Especially on my favrotie song "Taking Hits". ANyway, no classics on here, but still a great CD. Here's by reviews in number form.

1. I'm a Soldier ft. 50 Cent (5/5)

2. Do It Like Me (3/5)

3. Let Me In ft. 50 Cent (5/5)

4. Look at Me Now ft. Mr. Porter (5/5)

5. Welcome to the South ft. David Banner & Lil Flip (4/5)

6. Prices on My Head ft. Lloyd Banks & D-Tay (4/5)

7. Bonafide Hustler ft. 50 Cent & Tony Yayo (4/5)

8. Shorty Wanna Ride (2/5)

9. Bang Bang (3/5)

10. Thou Shall (3/5)

11. Black Gloves (5/5)

12. Stomp ft. T.I. & Ludacris (5/5)

13. Taking Hits ft. D-Tay (5/5)

14. Walk With Me ft. Stat Quo (5/5)

15. DPG Unit ft. Snoop Dogg, Daz, Soopafly, 50 Cent & Lloyd Banks (4/5)

My Top 5:

5) Look at Me Now ft. Mr. Porter

4) Black Gloves

3) Let Me In ft. 50 Cent

2) Stomp ft. T.I. & Ludacris

1) Taking Hits ft. D-Tay